Entertain this thought…..
A release from the bondage of hatred.
No longer holding note for debt owed that refuses to be paid and the loss that results from it.
Freedom.
A situation that presents itself the opportunity for giving it back to God. A test to see if it be your will or God’s. God has a purpose for ALL things. No thing passes without permission and purpose of God. Joseph says, “That which you meant for evil, God meant for good”.
Genesis 50:20 (KJV)
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.
Will one keep it to one’s self and withhold it from God? Who are you O man? That you would do such a thing?! Is it yours? If so, then a boil and cyst to your flesh. Can you fix it? It is without cure, unto everlasting pain and death. But if of the Lord God of covenant and love, mercy, grace and righteousness, then release, healing and freedom. Shall the subject of offense become the sacrifice or vengeance? Which seems right? Shall a man act as subject with offering or as a god in self-defined righteousness and judgement? No, this supposed offense is merely an opportunity to served or be served. For giving the situation over to the God Who sees and knows all things in righteousness and love. Who works all things together for good for those who know Him, are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).
2 Timothy 1:7-11 (KJV) 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Finally, this offense is a call and opportunity for the greatest of defense: Christ! and Him crucified. Death? Where is your sting? And the dead in Christ will rise up on that day victorious to join Him in His risen glory. The result of giving all things unto the Lord God.
Reinhold Niebuhr
Serenity Prayer
The Original Full Version
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen
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